Sustainable Development Working Group

13/02/2026

Last week at the Arctic Frontiers conference, SDWG Chair Camilla Aviaja Olsen took part in sessions on overtourism in the Arctic and its effects on Indigenous livelihoods and integenerational capacity sharing connecting nature and youth organized by NordForsk and the CAP-SHARE project respectively ❄️

03/02/2026

SDWG Chair Camilla Aviaja Olsen facilitated a Youth Engagement Day on 27 January, leading up to the Nordic-Canadian Arctic Symposium in Ottawa. The day fostered dynamic discussions, shared learning, and collective vision-building among youth participants.

The Youth Statement was presented by youth at the Nordic-Canadian Arctic Symposium on 28 January.

Thank you to the Nordic embassies in Canada, uOttawa, and Global Affairs Canada for co-organizing and facilitating the Youth Engagement Day!

📸 by Jesse Delgrosse

28/11/2025

At the Greenland Science Week Conference SDWG Chair Camilla Aviaja Olsen took part in a session on the Kingdom of Denmark’s Chairship of the Arctic Council 🇬🇱🇩🇰🇫🇴 Camilla discussed the alignment of the Chairship program with the SDWG thematic focus areas, highlighting the importance of collaboration to strengthen sustainable development across the Arctic.

Apart from Camilla, the panel consisted of SAO Chair Kenneth Høegh, CBMP Co-chair Tom Christensen, and International Chair of the ICC Sara Olsvig. The session was moderated by the Kingdom of Denmark’s Head of Delegation to the SDWG Daniel Lyberth Hauptmann.

24/10/2025

The Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) took part in several inspiring sessions and discussions during the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik last week 🇮🇸

Among other things, we had the pleasure of meeting with the Kingdom of Denmark’s newly appointed Chairship Youth Committee to discuss potential ways of strengthening youth engagement in the working group. SDWG Chair Camilla Aviaja Olsen also participated in two key sessions — speaking on a panel about youth engagement organized by the Arctic Council’s Chairship, and delivering the keynote address for a session on energy resilience, organized jointly by the SDWG and Nordic Energy Research.

It was a great opportunity to strenghten current partnerships and explore new ones!

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Photos:
1️⃣ SDWG Chair Camilla Aviaja Olsen speaking on youth engagement in the Arctic Council
2️⃣ Panel on youth engagement in the Arctic Council
3️⃣ Camilla Aviaja Olsen giving a keynote on Arctic Energy Resilience
4️⃣ARENA project lead Robert Cooke, Icelandic SDWG HoD Embla Eir Oddsdóttir and Net Zero Networks participant Mons Ole Sellevold discussing energy resilience
5️⃣ SDWG Secretariat meeting with the Chairship Youth Committee

08/06/2025

Ocean protection is People protection!

The Arctic Ocean is more than water — it’s life, identity, and survival for Arctic Indigenous Peoples.

The SDWG works with Arctic communities to advance:
💬 Indigenous Knowledge
🧠 Community Health & Well-being
🌿 Sustainable Livelihoods
♻️ Environmental Resilience +

These priorities are inseparable from ocean life.

🌊

06/06/2025

Behind the Acronym: SDWG 1️⃣0️⃣1️⃣

The Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) is where the human side of the Arctic comes first.

We focus on people, culture, health, and sustainable communities across the North—working hand-in-hand with Indigenous Peoples and Arctic residents.

✨ Real projects.
🤝 Local voices.
🌍 Global impact.

28/05/2025

Don't forget to apply for this amazing opportunity with the Arctic Council Indigenous Peoples' Secretariat!

Job alert❗️

We are seeking an advisor who can demonstrate a professional background and relevant experience and is ready to take on a diverse portfolio of tasks while working in a multicultural and multilingual environment.

The IPS facilitates the participation of Indigenous Peoples’ organizations in the work of the Arctic Council. Learn more about the tasks and responsibilities, qualifications, and how to apply 👉 https://arctic-council.org/about/jobs/advisor-at-the-indigenous-peoples-secretariat-tromso-norway/

Apply before 3 June 2025!

22/05/2025

🌿 On International Biodiversity Day, we are reminded that nature is not separate from people—it is our foundation!

For Arctic Indigenous Peoples and communities, biodiversity is life—supporting traditional practices, cultural identity, food security, and well-being.

At the SDWG, our work — from mental health to sustainable economies — recognizes that human and ecological well-being are deeply intertwined.

From seaweed to fisheries, biodiversity is the backbone of Arctic food systems, sustainable economic development, and traditional knowledge systems.

On , we reaffirm our commitment to sustainable development that honours both Arctic peoples and planet 🌍💚.

21/05/2025

Introducing Our New Projects!

✨ Here's what's ahead:

🌊 BlueConnect – project builds on past SDWG work to bring together education, entrepreneurship, and Indigenous knowledge in strengthening the Arctic blue economy.

💉 SUScreen – an SDWG project that strengthens healthcare systems in Greenland and Norway by developing culturally informed screening tools.

💔 Supporting bereavement – Su***de leaves lasting impacts. This project responds. This new SDWG initiative will build a culturally safe, youth-focused support network for those grieving loss across the Arctic.

📊 Arctic Business Index – Centering Arctic Voices in Development – will bring together data, local and Indigenous perspectives, and policy tools to guide economic decision-making in the North.

🔗 Explore our new projects @ sdwg.org/projects

15/05/2025

The SDWG is proud to contribute to this powerful showcase of written perspectives on Arctic priorities in the latest edition of the Arctic Council's Pathways magazine.

🧭 Inside, you’ll find SDWG stories and expert voices on:

🌍 Gender Equality in the Arctic – advancing inclusion through data and dialogue
🗣️ Preserving Arctic Indigenous Languages – protecting identity, place, and culture
🌿 One Health – recognizing the vital connections between people, animals, and ecosystems
💡 The ARENA Program – supporting remote Arctic communities through sustainable energy innovation

Happy reading 💻!

📢 Fresh off the press, the 2nd edition of Pathways - the Arctic Council Magazine is here!

The magazine features articles and guest posts about the projects, new reports, people and international cooperation that make the Arctic Council unique. With six diverse sections and all new content, read the newest edition online here: https://arctic-council.org/resources/pathways-2025/

12/05/2025

Today, Arctic States and Indigenous Permanent Participants gathered in Tromsø and virtually for the 14th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting, culminating in the release of the Romssa–Tromsø Statement.

The meeting marked a significant moment—the transition of the Arctic Council Chairship.

Today, concluded Norway’s Chairship of the Arctic Council (2023–2025) and the ceremonial passing of the gavel to the Kingdom of Denmark’s Chairship for the 2025–2027 term.

The SDWG thanks the 🇳🇴 Norwegian Chairship for its unwavering leadership and guidance and welcomes the Kingdom of Denmark's Chairship 🇩🇰🇫🇴🇬🇱 with full support.

We look forward to strengthening cooperation and supporting new and ongoing projects and activities focused on the human dimension of the Arctic Council with the Kingdom.

Photo: Arctic Council Secretariat | 🇬🇱 Greenlandic Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vivian Motzfeldt and 🇧🇻 Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide

🔗 Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/d7KY_sMN

12/05/2025

The 14th meeting of the Arctic Council will be held next week on 12 May 2025.

If you're curious for updates after the meeting, a press conference will follow at 17:30 CEST - and you can follow along via livestream. More info here: https://arctic-council.org/news/14th-meeting-of-the-arctic-council/